Research Article: The effects of yeast β-glucan on the immune response and susceptibility of Macrobrachium rosenbergii to Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection

β-glucans (BG) are widely used as an immunostimulant in aquatic animals through injection, feed, and immersion. The present study aimed to examine the consequences of dietary administration of yeast β-glucan on the immune response and susceptibility of Macrobrachium rosenbergii to the Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection. Experimental prawns (۴.۵۵±۰.۰۸ g) were fed a formulated commercial diet supplemented with commercial yeast BG at ۰.۰% (control), ۰.۱% (T۱), ۰.۲% (T۲), and ۰.۳% (T۳). After the feeding trial of ۷۵ days, a challenge test with V. parahaemolyticus (۱۰۴ cfu/mL) was performed for seven days. No significant differences (p>۰.۰۵) were observed in terms of final weight, specific growth rate, and weight gain, but the prawns fed with ۰.۱% (T۱) BG had the highest survival rates (۱۰۰%). However, immune parameters, e.g. level of total hemolymph protein, albumin, globulin and hemocyte number, were found to be significantly higher (p<۰.۰۵) in prawns fed with ۰.۲% (T۲) BG-supplemented diet. The total hemocyte count and total hemolymph protein, albumin, and globulin were reduced after the V. parahaemolyticus infection. The study's findings suggested that yeast BG can be used at ۰.۱% to ۰.۲% to enhance the immune response of juvenile M. rosenbergii and increase their resistance to V. parahemolyticus infection without upsetting the usual growth and survival.

کلیدواژه ها:

ß-glucan ، Macrobrachium rosenbergii ، Immunostimulant ، Immunity ، Vibrio parahaemolyticus ، Hemolymph